THE LOST TAHITI

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 49, 26 August 1930, Page 9

THE LOST TAHITI

PASSENGERS' ORDEAL

WAITING FOE 'RESCUE

BISHOP BENNETT'S STORY

In a special message to the Press Association,- Bishop Bennett, who was a passenger on the Tahiti, describes the accident which led to tb final foundering of the liner and incidents of the rescue by the Ventura.

(Special to Press Association, by Radio.)

APIA, 24th August.

Tiiero was little indication on tlio departure of the Tahiti from Wellington that there was anything wrong with the engine-room except for the excessive vibration of the ship. This was so Lad that it was difficult to read and liquids were spilt at the tables. The passengers were informed that it was due to ■ light cargo.

There was a total of 107 passengers and 158 in the crew. The ship was averaging 360 miles a day, the best roc'ord being 378. All was going well when a loud report was heard on Friday morning at 4.30. Tho vessel was shaken from stem to stern, and tho engines suddenly stopped. ■ . ■ '

The passengers were quietly informed that something serious had happened and to dress. By the tiino tho passongers wore on deck all the • lifeboats were ready to be lowered. Each passenger was informed of tho number of his lifoboat. Lifebelts wero served put and never taken off till the passengers boarded the Ventura,

The second-class passengers had to vacate their position on account of water coining through the deck. All the passengers were assembled in the first-class loungo for the whole period. The staff provided meals as usual without intermission. There was no panic and no excitement. The officers never mot the passengers to explain the position, and the passengers never worried thq officers. The/passengers felt that the officers were doing their best. The time was spent in games and the cheering of each other with music. The behaviour was splendid all through. HOLES RIPPED IN HULL. It was learned that the cause of the trouble was that the shaft on tho starboaTd had broken, penetrated . tho tunnel, and ripped holes under the stern, causing a big inrush of water. The exact location and the details of the trouble will never be known, as it was undor the water level. So great was the water pressure that it was impossible to close the bulkhead immediately. By the great heroism of the enginocrs working constantly ~ in deep water, the bulkheads were closed, but there was constant danger of their giving away at any time. Several times the ongino-rooin was in danger of being swamped. Water poured on both tho dynamos. To keep the ship afloat it was necessary to keep the water level down in holds No. 8 and 4, where there was over twenty feet of water, so two buckets, holding fifty gallons each, were manipulated by man-power, and the winches were kept bailing the water out from each well without intermission night and dayGreat praise is due to the oiiiecra and crew for tlleir hard work. They never rested until the passengers were safely on the Ventura. Undoubtedly this kept the ship afloat, for if the water had gone over the top of the bulkhead the ship would have been swamped. Fortunately there was always enough steam to work the winches. Wireless was the great consolation to the passengers. After the accident a message was got through to Wellington and a reply received within twenty minutes. The dynamo got wet, and so no further messagos were sent or received until it was repaired. An auxiliary broadcast set, on No. 1 lifeboat, with a range of 150 miles only, was then used, and tho Tahiti got in touch with the Norwegian cargo boat Penybryn, 120 miles away. There was great joy when, the Penybryn informed us that she was returning. BAD NEWS FROM ENGINE ROOM. On Saturday, between 1 and 2 o 'clock in the morning, everybody was called out to their respective lifeboats, _ as there was bad news from the engineroom. All the boats wore properly equipped with food and water and Wankets. It was a pathotie sight, especially as the children were crying, not knowing what was happening. With the exception of a few kerosene lamps, the ship was in darkness. The sea was fairly calm, but there were big rollers from the south, about eight feet high, and a stiff breeze. Everything looked very dark and sad for us. The engineers and crew were still working at top at the engine-room, and the crew never ceased bailing out water. Then came a, message that the outlook was better and that wo could rotire again into the lounge and await daylight. By daylight the difficulties had been, adjusted. We appeared to be a, little deeper in the water than we were on the previous evening. Our main hope now centred upon the Norwegian steamer Penybryn. We expected to see her early on Saturday afternoon. All eyes were glued upon the horizon. As night fell our captain sent up rockets periodically, and also fired ofi bombs, which made a very loud explosion. THE PENYBRYN APPEARS. About 9 p.m. rockets were seen from the south, and at 10 p.m. the Penybryn's lights appeared. At 11 o'clock she circled round us. She had missed us earlier because the fresh breeze that was blowing had driffcod the Tahiti over two knots an hour. We were over a hundred miles away from the spot where tho accident had happened, which was 1340 miles from New Zealand and 400 from Earotonga. The depth of the ocean was 18,000 feet. A wonderful feeling of relief eamo to all when we realised that the Penybryn was standing by all night in case of accident. We were especially grateful when we knew that she was doing this at tho risk of running short of eon]. There was great joy when we were informed that the Ventura whs rushing to our aid and would arrive' next morning. For tho first time the passengers had a little sleep in tlieir chairs and on the floor of the lounge. A certain amount of tension had been relaxed by the presence of one steamer and tho expectation of ar.other. At 10 a.m. on Sunday the Ventura met us, having come 700 miles out of her way, ploughing through a head sea at over 10 knots an hour. When tho Ventura received the call from the Union Company she was only three hours away from her destination at Pago Pago. As her smoke appoared on the horizon all tho passengers were ordered into the boats. Although the sea was not breaking much, big rollers from tho south made things unpleasant in tho boats. VENTURA ON THE SCENE. It was nearly an hour before _ the Ventura, arrived. As each boat arrived alongside cheers were givon by the Ventura's passengers. Bach passenger had to climb up rope stops. It was a diflicult (ask with tlie .swell. Some ba-d

to have a roxio tied round their bodies to assist them in the ascent. All reached the deck without accident. Only one officer fell into the water when a steering oar broke. He was immediately helped into tho boat

again. After the passengers came the luggage boats, with mails and baggage. Only the mails were taken out of the holds, and most of the luggage in the cabins.' Many passengers lost heavily, as most of their luggage was in the hold. No one knew how much they had lost until their arrival on the Ventura, but ono heard no complaints. All were thankful to escape with their lives. The last to leave tho Tahiti were the captain and tho crew. Three cheers were given as thoy arrived. They deserved it, as the discipline and organisation were worthy of the best British traditions. As soon as they arrived all the lifeboats were destroyed and sank. The Tahiti was getting lower at the stern. The Vontura gave a farewell blast, and the Penybryn continued her voyage after accompanying us for 15 hours. The Ventura drow close up to her sister-ship as if she'were going to rub noses. Then she drow«baek and ■watched the dying struggles of the Tahiti, with the Union Jack at the stem and flag signals meaning "abandoned" at the masthead. TAHITI'S LAST DIVE. AH watched her with intense, interest till the end. At last nothing of the Union Jack could'be seen. The Tahiti's bow rose higher into the air until it was almost penpendieular. Then she dived stern first in the midst of the seething ocean. Just as thß funnel disappeared, what appeared to be a tremendous explosion took place, sending up a black cloud, followed by steam. Then the vessel vanished, the sea boiling like a cauldron where she went down. The sight was awe-inspiring and pathetic' Tho emotion? of many of •the crew .as well as the passengers, were deeply touched. One elderly engineer who had worked for ten years on the Tahiti had to turn his face away, tears streaming down his cheeks. Another engineer who had saved a pet green parrot was carrying the bird on his shoulder, and addressing the- parrot said; "Come on, Peter. There goes our homo. Let ub turn our heads away." He didn't see the end. Ho couldn't. All were well treated on the Ventura. Many of the lady passengers w:ent straight to bed. THANKSGIVING- SERVICE. On Monday morning, at 11 o 'clock, I conducted a thanksgiving service on the Ventura. The service was attended by most of the passengers and crew, Sir Hugh Allon accompanying the hymns. The service was bright and hearty, and was much appreciated. On account of shortness of fresh water the Ventura was.unable to call at Earotonga, and made direct for Pago Pago, where she arrived on Tuesday at 1 p.m. She left' for Honolulu at 8 p.m. All the passengers for the South Sea Islands and the officers and crew for New Zealand are being accommodated at Pago Pago, awaiting the arrival of the Tofua, to take them back to New Zealand. All are well, there not being any sickness. ' GRATEFUL, PASSENGERS. The following statement has been issued by Tahiti passengers: "We desire to express our gratitude to the ship's company for the expoditious launching of lifeboats, and even the salving of small baggage while tho ship waa sinking. We also express gratitude to the Norwegian freighter Penybryn, which gave an assurance of safety, standing by for hours before the arrival of tho Ventura, as well as to the Ventura, which picked us up from the Tahiti's lifeboats • and catered for the passengers, and finally to the naval authorities at Pagd-Pago^'